I was looking for a bag that offered camera and lens carrying and protection, and general cargo carrying capacity. I found it in the Rover AW; part of the street and field system, it is somewhat cumbersome to configure and get used to, but once you do, it is very useful overall.

The lower section contains camera gear, while the top section is aimed at general cargo, with a zippered weatherproof pocket, and two additional pockets. There are two mesh pockets on the sides, a pocket on the front, and a fold-out tripod section in front of the front pocket.

This bag differs from other Lowepro cargo/camera packs in that the separation between camera and cargo sections can be removed, allowing you to use it as one large cargo or camera bag. In addition, the entire camera section can be removed as a single unit.

I am currently using the bag to carrying a digital body (with portrait grip) and three lenses, a flash and various accessories. I typically fill up the cargo section with items for hiking: food, clothes, water. In addition, by reconfiguring the way the camera section is separated from the cargo section, I can slide a 12" laptop inbetween both.

There are some very small points I can complain about. At times, it would be useful to be able to separate the cargo compartment from the camera compartment; more recent versions of Lowepro bags of this variety can separate.

I wish there was some rubber on the bottom of the bag to keep it from moving around on slick surfaces, particularly when I'm changing lenses.

Other than that, when combined with the S&F straps and waistbelt, it is perfect for carrying around both camera gear and general purpose gear, and distributing the load extremely well when the straps are properly fitted.

In addition, as of December 2006, the bag conforms to the small carry-on bag size on North American flights.

aalto

Registered: December 2006Posts: 12

Lowepro Rover AW II review by aalto

Review Date: 12/21/2006

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $180.00| Rating: 7

Pros:

Extremely comfortable carrying, well designed

Cons:

Tripod system, top/bottom separation system

A good bag if you fancy the capacity. The bag has about the same capacity that a bit big shoulder bag has, but while a shoulder bag with equal amount of gear would probably have you crying for mommy after a small walk, you can carry this bag all day long, its simply the most comfy carrying system ive trried so far on a camera backpack. But then again, if gear access is you main concern, then a shoulder bag is more convenient. My gear in this bag has mostly been two sb800 flashes, a d70 with a 50mm f1.8, a tokina 12-24, a 12" powerbook, lunch and a bottle of water, plus a tripod on the outside. Easily 8 kg of gear, which i carry around for atleast 2 hours every day. no problem. Note that the pack doesnt really have a notebook pocket, but a 12" will fit against your back in the bottom part. Bigger laptops will fit, but then youll have to sacrifice som space from the top compartment as well.

The things i would like to whine about is that the separator between the top and bottom is attached with velcro and can be removed or only partially attached, which is good if you have a bigger laptop you want to bring along, but is pretty irritating if you have something small in the top compartment, which will eventually find a way in one of the corners to the bottom compartment.

The other thing is the tripod system, while it gives access to your gear, its bulky and you cant get the all weather cover to, well, cover, the whole the thing. So if its starts to rain when your out, you have to carry you tripod in your hand if you want the cover on.

All in all, if you like the way a bottom/top pack works and the capacity is okay, go ahead, its a comfy, well designed pack.